Jacob Jonas The Company

Tell us about your work

An audience member once said, “Watching your work is like watching a documentary.” Rather than writing a script and shooting it, I like to document real life through movement, photography, film – or any creative means necessary to me – to create work of authenticity. I love to collaborate with other artists to expand the creativity within the work and be inspired by other forms of art.

How old were you when you knew you wanted to be an artist, and where were you?

When I was 13 years old, I would skate down to the Venice Beach Boardwalk. It was there that I met the Calypso Tumblers, a street-performance group, who first inspired me to dance. I didn’t know right then and there that I wanted to be an artist, but it was the place that introduced me to art, creativity, passion, and talent.

If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?

What is the best advice you’ve gotten from your mentor or a WAA Member?

There are three pieces of advice I’ve gotten over time that have all had value…

Do what you love. When you first hear it, it seems self explanatory, but if you put deep thought into it you want to make sure that you are living a life of passion and purpose and not allowing anyone or anything to devalue what you love.

Make sure the work I do is appreciated by all audiences around the world.

To build a team with integrity, trust your team, and allow your team to advise you.

Name an artist you’d love to meet and why?

David Blaine. He is rebellious, but in the best way possible. He is innovative and his expectations for himself are inspiring and ambitious. He pushes the boundaries of the human spirit and doesn’t allow society to confine him or dictate his passions; all qualities that I admire and would love to learn from.

If I weren’t doing this I’d…

…still be doing this – I have to be doing something creative!

What are your 3 goals for 2016?

What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on two new pieces to be performed in Los Angeles in early 2016. The first is titled “Primary” – a trio of dancers whose movements are inspired by the three primary colors. The piece progresses from three solos to three duets. The second piece is called “Obstacles” and is deeply rooted into the life of one of my friends who has Cystic Fibrosis – a genetic disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs and digestive system. The average life span is 37 years. It is through her words that the movement is created. Additionally, my company is working on creating content through film and photography, as well as building administratively. We officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!